Before Operation Checks; Operation; Safe Operating Precautions; Starting The Engine - Honda GXV660 Owner's Manual

BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS

IS YOUR ENGINE READY TO GO?
For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your equipment,
it is very important to take a few moments before you operate the
engine to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem
you find, or have your servicing dealer correct it, before you
operate the engine.
Improperly maintaining this engine, or failure to
correct a problem before operation, can cause a
malfunction in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Always perform a pre-operation inspection before
each operation, and correct any problem.
Before beginning your pre-operation checks, be sure the engine is
level and the engine switch is in the OFF position.
Always check the following items before you start the engine:
Check the General Condition of the Engine
1. Look around and underneath the engine for signs of oil or
gasoline leaks.
2. Remove any excessive dirt or debris, especially around the
muffler.
3. Remove any objects or debris that may block the cooling air
intake at the screen grid cover. Running the engine with a
blocked air intake can cause engine damage.
4. Look for signs of damage.
5. Check that all shields and covers are in place, and all nuts,
bolts, and screws are tightened.
Check the Engine
1. Check the fuel level. Starting with a full tank will help to
eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.
2. Check the engine oil level (see page 7). Running the engine with
a low oil level can cause engine damage.
3. Check the air filter element (see page 9). A dirty air filter
element will restrict air flow to the carburetor, reducing engine
performance.
4. Check the equipment powered by this engine.
Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered
by this engine for any precautions and procedures that should
be followed before engine startup.
4

OPERATION

SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS

Before operating the engine for the first time, please review the
SAFETY INFORMATION section on page 2 and the BEFORE
OPERATION CHECKS on page 4.
For your safety, do not operate the engine in an enclosed area such
as a garage. Your engine's exhaust contains poisonous carbon
monoxide gas that can collect rapidly in an enclosed area and
cause illness or death.
Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas
that can build up to dangerous levels in closed areas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can cause
unconsciousness or death.
Never run the engine in a closed, or even partly closed
area where people may be present.
Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by
this engine for any safety precautions that should be observed with
engine startup, shutdown, or operation.
Do not operate the engine on slopes greater than 20° (36%).

STARTING THE ENGINE

1. If the fuel tank is equipped with a valve, be sure the fuel valve is
in the OPEN or ON position before attempting to start the engine.
2. To start a cold engine, move the choke lever to the CLOSED
position.
To restart a warm engine, leave the choke lever in the OPEN
position.
Some engine applications use a remote-mounted choke control
rather than the engine-mounted choke lever shown here. Refer
to the instructions provided with the equipment powered by this
engine for remote control information.
CHOKE LEVER
CLOSED
ENGLISH
OPEN